The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin is heating up—and this year, it’s shaping into a battle of Europe. With the Euros playing a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and performances, and the power rankings dominated by players from Spain and England, the question now isn’t just who’s been good—it’s who’s been unignorable.
Since its inception in 2018, the Ballon d’Or Féminin has recognised the best in the women’s game based on individual performances, decisive moments, team success, class and fair play. While goals often catch the eye, the award isn’t strictly a golden boot contest. If jurors stick to the criteria, defenders, playmakers, and goalkeepers should be in the conversation—but forwards, as history suggests, are still most likely to take the crown.
Here’s where the frontrunners stand and why the final months of the calendar—and the Euros final—might prove decisive.
🇪🇸 Spain’s Supremacy: Aitana, Alexia, and Mariona
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí has had another stellar year. She continues to set the pace for Barcelona and Spain with her combination of tactical brilliance, vision, and elite-level consistency. However, could voter fatiguehurt her chances after winning both in 2023 and 2024?
If not Aitana, then perhaps Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner, is poised for a comeback. Her return from injury has been emphatic, with clutch moments for club and country that show she’s still a big-game player. Her leadership, composure, and ability to rise when it matters may give her the edge—especially if her Euros final performance impressed voters.
Also rising is Mariona Caldentey, now a regular in the Ballon d'Or conversation. Her role in Spain’s continued success and her growing influence at club level puts her in strong contention.
🏴 England’s Charge: Russo, Kelly, Bronze and Hampton
With England winning back-to-back Euros, it would be impossible to ignore Alessia Russo. Joint top-scorer in the WSL, seven goals in the Champions League, and now a key figure in England’s historic Euro defence—her Ballon d’Or candidacy is arguably the strongest among English players. Her sharpness in front of goal and ability to score in crucial moments ticks all the Ballon d’Or boxes.
Chloe Kelly, known for her nerves of steel in penalties and energy on the wing, has once again played the hero in key games. Her clutch moments—including her role in England’s semi-final and final—could put her high on the list. Plus she won the champions league with her club Arsenal.
Lucy Bronze, often overlooked in awards conversations, deserves more respect. The Ballon d'Or isn't just about goals, and Bronze embodies the spirit of the criteria: consistency, class, and big-match influence. She was immense in the knockout stages and remains a world-class full-back. A higher ranking wouldn’t be unjustified. She has won the domestic treble with Chelsea and the Euros with England scoring a goal and a crucial penalty as well to keep them in the competition.
Hannah Hampton, England’s No. 1, may face the odds as a goalkeeper (with no dedicated award in the women’s Ballon d’Or), but her standout performances and shootout heroics—especially against Sweden and Spain—shouldn’t be ignored. She prevented 2.69 goals during the Euros, saved four penalties across two shootouts, and was player of the match in the final. It may not win her the award, but it should win her a nomination. Also on a club level won the gold glove award in the WSL and the domestic treble as well, no small feat.
🌍 The Rest of the World: Banda and Dumornay Fly the Flag
Only one player on the power ranking list plays outside of Europe: Barbra Banda. The Zambian striker continues to dominate with Shanghai Shengli and showed her prowess at the Olympics and in international competitions. Her raw power, consistency, and eye for goal make her a standout—but lack of visibility outside Europe may hinder her chances. She currently plays in the states with Orlando Pride, last season (year 2024-different season timings than Europe which could be a hinderance) they won the NWSL Championship and NWSL Shield.
Melchie Dumornay of Haiti and Lyon remains a rising star. If the award had a young player category, she’d be a frontrunner. Still, her flashes of brilliance in France and for Haiti at global tournaments haven’t gone unnoticed. She was Lyon’s all time goal scorer for the 2024/25 season with 17 goals, plus helped them win the league again for the fourth time in a row.
🇪🇺 The European Dominance Is Real
Perhaps the most telling part of this year’s Ballon d'Or conversation is who's not on the list. There are no American players in the top 15. That’s a seismic shift in the power balance. With Europe dominating club and international competitions, the Ballon d'Or Féminin now firmly belongs to the continent.
🏆 Final Prediction? It Could Come Down to the Final
With the jury already weighing up performances, the Euros final between Spain and England may have tipped the scale. Aitana or Alexia? Russo or Kelly? If history is anything to go by, the Ballon d'Or tends to favour those who shine on the biggest stage—and few stages have been bigger than the Euro 2025 final.
That said, if it were truly based on the criteria—impact, character, class, and decisive contribution—someone like Lucy Bronze would be further up the list. But with forwards favoured, expect a tight battle between Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, and Alessia Russo.
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